Arts & Entertainment
Baltimore arts briefs: Events through Dec. 6
UMD hosts AIDS events, New Wave Singers give Moveable Feast benefit
Adam Cooley in Creative Alliance’s production of ‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch.’ Cooley returns for the Alliance’s cabaret night on Friday. (Photo courtesy of Creative Alliance)
Cabaret night is AIDS Action benefit
The Creative Alliance hosts a cabaret to benefit AIDS Action Baltimore and to honor World AIDS Day tonight at 8 at the Creative Alliance at the Patterson (3134 Eastern Ave.).
The music includes Broadway, pop, rock and original songs sung by talented local vocalists. The show also includes readings from the pandemic. AIDS Action Baltimore founder Lynda Dee speaks with Johns Hopkins Hospital’s AIDS researchers about options moving forward with AIDS treatment.
Tickets are $20. For more information, visit creativealliance.org.
UMD plans AIDS Day events
The University of Maryland School of Medicine, School of Pharmacy, School of Social Work and the Office of Interprofessional Student Learning and Service Initiatives (ISLSI) host a full day of activities to honor World AIDS day today starting at 11 a.m.
Activities include confidential HIV testing and services, the Facing AIDS photo campaign and Living Ribbon.
All activities are free. For times and more information, visit umaryland.edu/worldAIDSday.
New Wave Singers give Feast benefit show
New Wave Singers of Baltimore perform Saturday night at 8 in honor of World Aids Day and to benefit Moveable Feast at the First Unitarian Church (1 W. Hamilton Street).
Moveable Feast is an organization that provides food to people who are suffering from AIDS and are not mobile. Half of the proceeds from the concert will go to the organization.
Tickets are $20 for adults and for kids 17 and under, admission is free. For more information, visit newwavesingers.org.
Poetry reading slated for Sunday afternoon
The annual Cave Canem poetry reading at Enoch Pratt Central Library (400 Cathedral St.) hosts writer Kwame Dawes and several other local poets on Sunday from 2-4 p.m.
Dawes writes poetry, fiction, non-fiction and plays and was a winner of the Pushcart Prize in 2001 for his poem “Inheritance.” He was born in Ghana but spent most of childhood in Jamaica.
This event is free. For more information, visit prattlibrary.org.
a&e features
Gay Men’s Chorus celebrates 45 years at annual gala
‘Sapphire & Sparkle’ Spring Affair held at the Ritz Carlton
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington held the annual Spring Affair gala at the Ritz Carlton Washington, D.C. on Saturday. The theme for this year’s fete was “Sapphire & Sparkle.” The chorus celebrated 45 years in D.C. with musical performances, food, entertainment, and an awards ceremony.
Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington Executive Director Justin Fyala and Artistic Director Thea Kano gave welcoming speeches. Opening remarks were delivered by Spring Affair co-chairs Tracy Barlow and Tomeika Bowden. Uproariously funny comedian Murray Hill performed a stand-up set and served as the emcee.
There were performances by Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington groups Potomac Fever, 17th Street Dance, the Rock Creek Singers, Seasons of Love, and the GenOUT Youth Chorus.
Anjali Murthy, a member of the chorus and a graduate of the GenOUT Youth Chorus, addressed the attendees of the gala.
“The LGBTQ+ community isn’t bound by blood ties: we are brought together by shared experience,” Murthy said. “Being Gen Z, I grew up with Ellen [DeGeneres] telling me through the TV screen that it gets better: that one day, it’ll all be okay. The sentiment isn’t wrong, but it’s passive. What I’ve learned from GMCW is that our future is something we practice together. It exists because people like you continue to show up for it, to believe in the possibilities of what we’re still becoming”
The event concluded with the presentation of the annual Harmony Awards. This year’s awardees included local drag artist and activist Tara Hoot, the human rights organization Rainbow Railroad as well as Rocky Mountain Arts Association Executive Director, Dr. Chipper Dean.
(Washington Blade photos and videos by Michael Key)
Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 16.
(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)
Photos
PHOTOS: Blade Summer Kickoff Party
Ashley Biden accepts award for Beau Biden at annual Rehoboth fundraiser
The 19th annual Blade Foundation Summer Kickoff Party was held on Friday, May 15 at Diego’s in Rehoboth Beach, Del. An award presentation was held for former Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden. Ashley Biden accepted the award on her brother’s behalf and gave remarks. Other speakers included Delaware state Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall, CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Dr. Robin Brennan and Washington Blade Editor Kevin Naff. The event was a fundraiser for the Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism.
(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)
Gay Men’s Chorus celebrates 45 years at annual gala
BREAKING NEWS: Barney Frank dies at 86
Intersex lives, constitutional freedom, and the dangerous future of Ghana’s Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill
Doc on Blade reporter Chibbaro scores Emmy nomination
Don’t let Rehoboth rain deter you, there’s lots to do for Memorial Day
‘The Inheritance’ is most-nominated at this year’s Helen Hayes Awards
HIV Vaccine Awareness Day set for May 18
Calendar: May 15-21
United Night Out set for Saturday
